“Thanks for loving my brother, for epting him!”
Yuna’s voice was soft but full of emotion as she handed me the tea with this careful, almost formal
gesture. Her eyes shimmered like she was holding back tears.
My chest tightened a bit, but I still grinned. “You act like Hayden’s unlovable or something.”
Yuna gave a little pout, and I took the tea from her, sipping it. The taste hit me–sweet, light, and
almost magical. Way better than anything I’d had before.
“Keira, Hayden doesn’t look for girlfriends because of me,” Yuna said, her voice quieter now. “He’s
scared that whoever he marries might not like me… might hate me for being sick.”
I could tell she hesitated, unsure if Hayden had even told me. She was probably worried that
knowing about her illness might change how I saw him–like it’d be too much baggage or
something.
I took another sip, letting the warmth settle inside me. Do I seem like the kind of person who’d judge
someone for being sick? Especially someone as sweet as you?”
That got her to smile, and I saw her rx, just a little.
But she wasn’t done. “Did Hayden tell you about my condition?”
I nodded. “Yeah, of course. Why do you think I came all the way out here? I wanted to meet you,
and then…” I looked around the peaceful garden and shook my head with augh.
Yuna blinked, her eyes wide with curiosity. “And then what?”
I could tell she was sensitive when it came to anything involving Hayden, so I decided to keep it
real. ” Then I thought about bringing you back with me. But now, after seeing this ce, I’m not sure
that’d be fair.”
? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.
This garden, this quiet life–it was perfect for her. It wasn’t just a home; it was like a peaceful escape
from everything. My ce? It didn’te close to offering this kind of serenity.
Now, I understood why Hayden left her here. This wasn’t just a house; it was where she could
actually heal.
“If you want me toe, I’ll go,” Yuna said,pletely serious. Her words caught me off guard.
I stared at her, not expecting that. “You’d really leave?”
She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she picked up her cup and took a few slow sips, lost in
thought.
Watching her, I realized she was torn. This ce was beautiful and safe, but something inside her
wanted
more.
Maybe we’re all like that, bncing between thefort of what we know and the pull of the
unknown. It’s not about being greedy; it’s just human. We all want to see what’s out there, beyond
the borders of ourfort zones.
For Yuna, her illness had kept her here. To me, this life looked peaceful, but to her, it might feel
more like a cage.
“I want to get better,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “I don’t want Hayden to keep worrying
about me.”
Now that she brought up her illness, I figured it was time to ask. “Has Hayden tried getting you
treatment?”
I remembered Hayden’s deal with me–the one where he’d promised to do anything if I helped pay
for her medical care.
“He has. But the doctors all say I need a heart transnt,” Yuna said, biting her lip. “It’s risky, and
my blood type’s rare. Hayden doesn’t want to take the chance.”
My hand tightened around the tea cup. I wasn’t expecting that. Hayden was holding off on the
surgery because he was terrified of what could go wrong.
He was scared to death of losing her.
Without the surgery, Yuna would be stuck in this fragile bnce, always at risk. But she’d be alive,
here with him every day, a reminder of his love and care.
If they went through with it, she might finally get to live the way she wanted–healthy, free. But there
was that awful possibility that it could all go south, and he’d lose her for good.
The thought of Hayden losing Yuna hit me hard, like a sudden punch in the chest.
“He’s just scared you might not make it through,” I said, echoing what I knew must be running
through his head.
Yuna nodded. “I know. But I want to be healthy. I don’t want Hayden to worry about me every single
day.”